KANDAHAR: A bomb killed 13 civilians, including women and children, in southern Afghanistan yesterday as they travelled to attend the funeral of earlier bomb victims, police said.
It was the latest violence since the Taliban launched their “spring offensive” on April 27, opening a crucial period for the country as its security forces take the lead in offensives against the insurgents. “The blast hit a pick-up truck in the Arghistan district of Kandahar province, killing four women, four men and five children,” Abdul Raziq, Kandahar provincial police chief, told AFP.
Raziq said the victims were travelling to the funeral of two people who were killed by a similar blast a few days ago. “A motorbike earlier hit a roadside bomb that killed two people, and today’s victims were travelling to attend that funeral when unfortunately their vehicle struck another bomb,” he said.
Javed Faisal, Kandahar provincial governor spokesman, confirmed the incident. “All the victims are civilians,” he said. “The bomb was planted by Taliban insurgents in a district that borders Pakistan and civilians are often the victim of these bombs.”
Nine people were injured in the blast, some of them suffering life-threatening wounds, officials said.
The Taliban, who are fighting to oust the US-backed government of President Hamid Karzai, deny deliberately targeting civilians. AGENCIES
